Diagnostic Code 6260 · 38 CFR §4.87
Tinnitus is the perception of ringing, buzzing, hissing, or other sounds in one or both ears when no external sound source is present. It is the single most commonly rated VA disability condition, affecting over 2.3 million veterans. For most veterans, tinnitus results from exposure to loud noise during military service — weapons fire, aircraft engines, heavy equipment, explosions, and sustained occupational noise. The condition can be constant or intermittent and may vary in perceived volume and pitch.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Recurrent tinnitus. This is the maximum schedular rating available under DC 6260. The VA assigns a single 10% rating regardless of whether tinnitus is present in one ear or both ears. Prior to the Smith v. Nicholson decision (2005), some veterans received separate 10% ratings per ear, but current policy limits the rating to one 10% evaluation. |
Tinnitus is one of the easiest conditions to establish for service connection because it is a subjective symptom — there is no objective test that can confirm or deny it. The VA relies on the veteran's own report. You will need: (1) a current diagnosis or report of tinnitus symptoms, (2) evidence of in-service noise exposure (your MOS, duty stations, or a buddy statement describing the noise environment), and (3) a nexus linking the tinnitus to your military noise exposure. For many combat veterans or those in high-noise MOSs (infantry, artillery, aviation, armor, engineering), the noise exposure element is essentially conceded by the VA.
No. The maximum schedular rating for tinnitus under DC 6260 is 10%, regardless of severity or whether it affects one or both ears. However, if tinnitus causes or aggravates other conditions (such as difficulty sleeping, concentration problems, or anxiety), those secondary conditions can be rated separately.
No. Since the 2005 Smith v. Nicholson decision, the VA assigns one single 10% rating for tinnitus regardless of whether it is unilateral or bilateral. Veterans who received separate per-ear ratings before that decision may have their ratings protected under the 20-year rule.
No. Tinnitus is a subjective symptom — the veteran's own report of the condition is the primary evidence. There is no objective test that can confirm or deny tinnitus. Your statement that you experience ringing or buzzing in your ears, combined with evidence of noise exposure, is generally sufficient.
Tinnitus is not specifically listed as a presumptive condition. However, for veterans with documented combat service or a high-noise MOS, the VA often concedes in-service noise exposure, making the service connection straightforward to establish.
Yes, absolutely. Tinnitus and hearing loss are rated under separate diagnostic codes, so you can receive compensation for both. They often result from the same noise exposure and are typically evaluated at the same C&P exam.